Why did they do the interview in a subway tunnel?
Subways, The Tube, sewers all double as bomb shelters throughout Europe. Deep underground, spacious (relatively) dual use. Quite likely Kiev and much of Ukraine were under aerial threat at the time.
And 400% less Empire 
Which just concentrates the Evil.
And in fact, the air raid sirens actually go off at one point. Zelenskyy actually comments on it.
Yes, he does speak English, and probably understands it even better than he speaks it. However, when speaking informally it’s also clear he’s not native-speaker fluent in it and makes minor errors common to people who speak a Slavic language first and English second (or third, or nth).
I’m pretty sure some of his English speeches have been planned, vetted, and rehearsed ahead of time.
At the joint press conference being aired as I type Zelenskyy is mostly responding in (I presume) Ukrainian but probably is understanding what’s said in English around him.
Current press conference he’s in his green sweater/army outfit. Probably because it’s become iconic.
Fun fact: Jerry Springer was born in the London Underground station of Highgate, while the station was in use as a shelter from German bombing during World War II.
Safety.
During the interview you can hear air raid sirens. Putin didn’t stop bombing Ukraine because Letterman was conducting an interview.
If I recall correctly Paul McCartney was also born in a subway station for a similar reason.
According to Wikipedia, Paul McCartney was born in a hospital, although his father was absent from the birth, due to his work as a volunteer firefighter during World War II.
I’m not even sure Liverpool had a subway in 1942. McCartney was born in the same hospital his mother worked as a midwife. And John Lennon wasn’t born during an air raid despite a story his Aunt Mimi used to tell.
I would expect that Zelenskyy would probably give a prepared speech in English, but then switch to using a translator for any Q&A session or the like where he can’t have everything all written up in advance. For a professional actor, delivering a speech in a language you’re not fluent in would be easy, especially if you already have some level of familiarity with the language.
It’s in English, and it’s a fantastic speech.
An excellent speech. I wonder if his speech changed any minds of those who are against supporting Ukraine.
Nice gift.
Scene:
I made the mistake of watching the speech on Fox News. I wanted to see their reaction. Unfortunately, it ended during the Tucker Carlson show. He derided Zelensky for wearing a sweatshirt to speak in the Capital and told his audience that this lowlife was begging for their tax dollars, not to win a war but to get rid of Putin. I had to turn it off at that point to keep my blood pressure from rising. So, when it comes to his viewers, he will make sure Russian propaganda wins the day. What a vile, vile piece of shit he is.
Zelenskyy was well prepared. He delivered the speech very well. A interpreter would have distracted from his passion and personability.
I wish we were sending more than one Patriot. I understood the concern that it will be targeted by Russia. The US needs to see if the Patriot site can be defended. More will probably arrive next year if the first one is effective.
Wishing Zelenskyy a safe trip home. It will be more dangerous because Russia knows he’s returning.
I’m surprised there isn’t a thread about this speech in P & E and that the responses here make it seem few people watched this speech. Is this the only thread where this is being discussed or am I missing another one somewhere else?
I missed the beginning but did catch at least the last half and yes, it was fantastic. I didn’t see a lot of reaction shots of the chamber so I’m a bit curious if any of the Russian stooges in Congress were present and did they boo or catcall?
Zelenskyy received a standing ovation when he was introduced. Lasted several minutes before he could begin his speech.
There was loud applause several times during the speech. I thought Zelenskyy got a warm reception.
His one on one meetings with members of Congress should help build rapport. A personal connection is usually helpful in politics.
There was none of that. His speech was moving, quite stirring and brought me to tears (although that doesn’t take much these days). He made his appeal most directly to the American people and thanked them profusely for their support while making clear that more help is needed.
I hope people watched. There will be continuing coverage of the speech into tomorrow.
I will be on tenterhooks until we see he is back in Ukraine. I was going to say ‘safely,’ but that’s a bridge too far.